Telemundo is betting on reality show competitions. Last year’s success with “La Voz Kids” has strengthened the network’s resolve to bolster non-scripted programming.
Next Sunday, February 16 at 8 pm ET, the network will premiere “Top Chef Estrellas,” a four-episode version of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
This is the first time the “Top Chef” format crosses over to Spanish-language broadcast television.
“It’s also the first time Telemundo puts a cooking show in front of a prime time audience,” says Daniel Cubillo VP of Non-Scripted Content Development for Telemundo. “We think our audience is ready to watch general market productions with Latino adaptations.”
Cubillo, who is responsible for identifying and developing variety and non-scripted programming for the network, says reality programming is evolving, and just now becoming more popular in Spanish-language broadcast television.
“Reality competitions generate emotion. People want to see and participate in who wins,” he says.“We’re continuously exploring our options to better satisfy our audience.”
Cubillo is testing the waters. His plan is to create a Sunday night back-to-back reality programming block that can compete with Univision. He’s also exploring alternatives for Saturday night programming.
“It’s about investments to win. We want to reduce the gap with our competitors,” he says about producing different formats and more original content.
Besides “Top Chef Estrellas” and “La Voz Kids,” Telemundo will also be producing a “Miss Latina Universe” beauty reality show scheduled for later this year.
Cubillo says he’s looking into possibly developing other Spanish-language versions of franchises from parent company NBC Universal, like Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
“It’s definitely easier to work within the NBC umbrella,” he says. “But we’re also exploring other formats from outside the company. It’s about being smart and getting the best to attract a bigger audience.”
“Top Chef Estrellas” is produced by production house Magical Elves and shot in New Orleans in the same kitchen and with the same crew as the Bravo version. Telemundo puts a new twist on the franchise by featuring eight Hispanic celebrities competing to raise money for charity.
Hosted by telenovela actress Aylin Mujica, the show features chef Lorena García, alongside TV host and chefs Jaime Martín Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu as the judges.
The 8 competing celebrities are talk show host Dra. Nancy Álvarez, former Univision “Despierta América” host Fernando Arau and actors Christian Chávez, David Chocarro, Christian de la Campa, Erika De La Rosa, Lorena Herrera and Cynthia Olavarría.
Unfortunetaly, all the “great” Hispanic networks — plus a few indies — seem to want to do is copy what the Anglo networks are already doing, which means that even if we are of Hispanic origin, and we speak English, we really don’t need to watch either Telemundo, Univision, Fox, Mega or Miami local Channel 41. What’s the matter with these people? Don’t they have access to truly original Hispanic creators? Or is it that they don’t give THEM access?